Barcelona may have won the match on Wednesday against Celta Vigo, but they've likely lost their starting goalkeeper Victor Valdés for the rest of the season. Neymar scored twice and Lionel Messi added a third, but the story from the Camp Nou will be about Valdés and a possible ACL tear.
Barcelona vs. Celta Vigo: Final score 3-0, Neymar brace fuels a costly Barcelona victory
The Blaugrana won the match, but likely lost Victor Valdés for the rest of the season to a knee injury.
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Barcelona got off to a great start, taking the lead in the sixth minute thanks to the boot of Neymar. Lionel Messi helped start the play, delivering a ball into the path of Alexis Sánchez as he broke past the Celta defense live. Sánchez wanted for the lone defender and goalkeeper Yoel to commit to his run before centering to Neymar for the easy tap-in.
Celta appeared to earn a penalty in the 20th minute when the ball hit Adriano’s hand. After some discussion between the referee and the linesman, the Barca defender was shown a yellow card and the visitors got a free kick on the edge of the box. Both calls were correct, but the aftermath of the ensuing free kick could be catastrophic for Barca’s season.
While making a save on Celta’s set piece, goalkeeper Victor Valdés injured his knee and was carted off the pitch. Initial reports from Barca’s medical team say that Valdés injured his ACL, which means his season his likely done.
Messi doubled Barcelona's lead in the 30th minute, getting a pinpoint pass from Andrés Iniesta and racing into the Celta box before rounding Yoel and rolling the ball into the empty net.
José Manuel Pinto -- who replaced the injured Valdés in goal -- showed off his skills in the 52nd minute, making an excellent double save to keep Celta off the scoreboard. Pinto blocked the initial effort, a touched on short-range shot by Augusto Fernández, but let a big rebound that was sent right back on frame by Santi Mina. Pinto was too quick though and recovered well, blocking Mina’s shot with a second strong save.
Neymar ended any hopes of a Celta comeback in the 67th minute, scoring his second goal of the day. The Brazilian brought down a long cross from Alexis Sánchez, dribbled -- or danced if you prefer -- in front of two defenders to create some space before placing a shot through their legs and past Yoel to make it 3-0.
Barcelona: Valdés (Pinto 24’), Adriano, Bartra, Mascherano, Alba, Song, Iniesta (Roberto 46’), Cesc, Alexis, Messi, Neymar (Pedro 72’)
Goals: Neymar (6’, 67’), Messi (30’)
Celta Vigo: Yoel, Mallo, Cabral (I. Lopez 38’), Aurtenetxe, Jonny, Fontàs (Oubina 74’), Madinda, A. López, Augusto, Orellana (Bermejo 64’), Mina
Goals: None
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